Iowa City Police investigate offensive note left outside Muslim family home as hate crime

Rasa - Iowa City Police investigate offensive note left outside Muslim family home as hate crime.

News ID: 425153

Date: 18 November 2016 - 23:05

RNA - Iowa City Police are investigating a note someone left outside the home of a Sudanese-American family as a hate crime.

The note said "You can go home now, we don't want n------ and terrorists here, #trump."

Amar Samel and his family - who are Muslim - found the message late Friday night. Samel said his family contacted police, but an officer never showed up to their home to take a picture, or get a statement.

But since news of the note came out, neighbors have left flowers and baked goods for the family. There are now messages of support on the sidewalk near Samel's home.

Samel said he's thankful for his neighbors' support, and feels like his family belongs in the community.

"What ever happens will not frighten me because I have no where to go. This is my country. This is my community. This is where I belong," he said.

Police said an officer should have followed up with the family. They said they are now investigating the incident as a hate crime.

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